Considering first time build...some questions from a noob

T

theallseeingeye

New member
Hey Y'all

I'm considering building my first gaming PC. I had a top-of-the-line 16gb RAM i7 Retina MacBook Pro with a 2GB nvidia card and 512 SSD that got stolen last year and replaced with a mid-range model (cash flow restrictions at the time). I had a Windows 7 partition on that first Mac which I booted into and played through Steam onto my LED TV.

So now I want to keep gaming and was thinking of building a dedicated gaming rig to plug into my TV as the new rMBP doesn't have the flashy nVidia Gfx.

Thinking of a budget of 8-10K

First question: Am I being stupid in building a rig and should I just buy a ready-made machine?

Second Question: Considering my budget, would I get a better performing machine if I go the DIY route?

Third Question: How hard could it be? (I'm rather adept with a screw driver and a set of pliers)

Thanks peeps.
 
theallseeingeye said:
Hey Y'all

I'm considering building my first gaming PC. I had a top-of-the-line 16gb RAM i7 Retina MacBook Pro with a 2GB nvidia card and 512 SSD that got stolen last year and replaced with a mid-range model (cash flow restrictions at the time). I had a Windows 7 partition on that first Mac which I booted into and played through Steam onto my LED TV.

So now I want to keep gaming and was thinking of building a dedicated gaming rig to plug into my TV as the new rMBP doesn't have the flashy nVidia Gfx.

Thinking of a budget of 8-10K

First question: Am I being stupid in building a rig and should I just buy a ready-made machine?

Second Question: Considering my budget, would I get a better performing machine if I go the DIY route?

Third Question: How hard could it be? (I'm rather adept with a screw driver and a set of pliers)

Thanks peeps.
Click to expand...

Definitely DIY, will work out cheaper and its way more fun, use this 10k budget build http://www.nag.co.za/2015/01/14/system-builders-guide-january-r4000-to-r10000/
 
I would recommend building your own rig, It's so much more satisfying than buying one at a premium. If you have any questions with the build feel free to ask.
 
theallseeingeye said:
Hey Y'all

I'm considering building my first gaming PC. I had a top-of-the-line 16gb RAM i7 Retina MacBook Pro with a 2GB nvidia card and 512 SSD that got stolen last year and replaced with a mid-range model (cash flow restrictions at the time). I had a Windows 7 partition on that first Mac which I booted into and played through Steam onto my LED TV.

So now I want to keep gaming and was thinking of building a dedicated gaming rig to plug into my TV as the new rMBP doesn't have the flashy nVidia Gfx.

Thinking of a budget of 8-10K

First question: Am I being stupid in building a rig and should I just buy a ready-made machine?

Second Question: Considering my budget, would I get a better performing machine if I go the DIY route?

Third Question: How hard could it be? (I'm rather adept with a screw driver and a set of pliers)

Thanks peeps.
Click to expand...

1. No you are not stupid for building your own, usually when you buy ready made, you find problems. (e.g. IEEE 1394 not plugged in, so front panel audio no work)

3. It's easy as hell, but here is the catch, if you are excited, things could get excited. Build the machine like your building it for a customer, take you time, make a clean working area. I find I am too excited about new parts and do half jobs. So do the whole testing of everything before putting it into the case( If you have a good area to work on).
 
Also, to save frustration, install cpu and a single memory module first. Boot from a cd with some basic test utilities on and test it. Swap the memory module, repeat tests until all memory modules are tested. Then install all memory modules and test. Then install the rest of the peripherals, test. Then install OS
 
PsychoFish said:
Also, to save frustration, install cpu and a single memory module first. Boot from a cd with some basic test utilities on and test it. Swap the memory module, repeat tests until all memory modules are tested. Then install all memory modules and test. Then install the rest of the peripherals, test. Then install OS
Click to expand...

... and test? :p
 
Yes, test test test. Test until you know EVERYTHING is working 100%.

For me OS install is :

- Base OS
- Service Packs
- Security Updates
- Drivers
- Check Windows Updates/Security updates again
- Run a benchmark, save the benchmark results
- Image the HDD and/or create a Create a system repair disc
- Install your basic apps
- Benchmark again...is your performance the same or worse? If worse, uninstall the most likely culprit, rerun benchmark, repeat. Confirm you are running latest version(s) of the culprit(s), re-install them, rerun benchmark, compare results. Then either deal with it or remove.
 
Thanx [MENTION=193]matt[/MENTION]
[MENTION=21533]theallseeingeye[/MENTION] just drop me a pm and I'll gladly help you out ;)
 
Bodhi said:
Those are decent builds, but will all work out cheaper if you buy the components separate from a online shop like Rebeltech... Plus you feel like a freaking rocket scientist the first time you finish your own PC build:p
Click to expand...

Well I think the only time things will work out cheaper is when u buy directly from the suppliers. Otherwise u talking about a very small margin for them to build the machine for u. Also iv heard EveTechs workmanships is exceptional, they clean up the cables and the case looks extremely neat.
 
theallseeingeye said:
Hey Y'all

First question: Am I being stupid in building a rig and should I just buy a ready-made machine?

Second Question: Considering my budget, would I get a better performing machine if I go the DIY route?

Third Question: How hard could it be? (I'm rather adept with a screw driver and a set of pliers)

Thanks peeps.
Click to expand...

1. DIY rig is the clever route - you get to choose exactly what you want, even the brand of the component.
2. Yes, in most cases. Else there's the 2nd hand route (carbonite.co.za)
3. Do you know how to build with lego? If so, it's a walk in the park :)
 
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